EP0921056A3 - Coupling alignment warning system - Google Patents

Coupling alignment warning system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0921056A3
EP0921056A3 EP98308184A EP98308184A EP0921056A3 EP 0921056 A3 EP0921056 A3 EP 0921056A3 EP 98308184 A EP98308184 A EP 98308184A EP 98308184 A EP98308184 A EP 98308184A EP 0921056 A3 EP0921056 A3 EP 0921056A3
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
unit
target
caws
microprocessor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98308184A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0921056A2 (en
Inventor
Steven Craig Dupay
Randy Lee Schutt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Holland USA Inc
Original Assignee
Holland USA Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Holland USA Inc filed Critical Holland USA Inc
Publication of EP0921056A2 publication Critical patent/EP0921056A2/en
Publication of EP0921056A3 publication Critical patent/EP0921056A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
    • B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
    • B62D53/08—Fifth wheel traction couplings
    • B62D53/12—Fifth wheel traction couplings engaging automatically

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

The coupling alignment warning system (CAWS) of the instant invention is designed to provide the driver of a towing unit (60), e.g., a commercial truck, with visual and/or audible cues that indicate whether the towing unit (60) is aligned relative to a towed unit (62), e.g. a trailer, for proper engagement of the coupling components mounted thereon, including a fifth wheel hitch (78) on the towing unit (60) and a king pin (74) on the trailer. The CAWS combines a laser light source (12) and a series of sensors (28,30) with a reflective target (70) to provide alignment information to the user. In particular, the system combines a low-power laser diode (12) mounted on the towing unit (60) with a retro-reflective target (70) that is attached, preferably temporarily, on the towed unit (62). The target (70) will continuously return positive coupling alignment information back to the sensors (28,30) as long as laser light impinges upon the target (70) , i.e., as long as target acquisition is maintained. The sensors (28,30) transmit detection signals to a processing unit that includes a microprocessor and relay. The microprocessor is programmed to calculate a threshold level of light that is based on sensed ambient light signals. In operation, the microprocessor decodes the detected light and determines whether the detected light level reaches the threshold level of light. If so, the CAWS indicates to the user that target acquisition has been achieved, and thus, that the towing unit (60) is aligned with the towed unit (62) for positive coupling. The microprocessor also controls the relay, thus controlling the delivery of power to the laser light source (12) so that the system can continually compute an updated threshold level of light based on the ambient light in the surrounding operating environment. As a result, the system minimizes the chance of triggering on false light signals, notwithstanding varying ambient light conditions. The CAWS is particularly useful in zero or low visibility conditions because it can be used in conjunction with mirrors and external reference points to provide reliable position information to the user.
EP98308184A 1997-10-16 1998-10-08 Coupling alignment warning system Withdrawn EP0921056A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/951,250 US6252497B1 (en) 1997-10-16 1997-10-16 Coupling alignment warning system
US951250 2001-09-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0921056A2 EP0921056A2 (en) 1999-06-09
EP0921056A3 true EP0921056A3 (en) 2001-09-19

Family

ID=25491484

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98308184A Withdrawn EP0921056A3 (en) 1997-10-16 1998-10-08 Coupling alignment warning system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6252497B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0921056A3 (en)
JP (1) JP3470947B2 (en)
AU (1) AU8789398A (en)
CA (1) CA2246042A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11135882B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2021-10-05 Methode Electronics, Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing

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US6285278B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-09-04 Holland Hitch Company Electronic system for monitoring a fifth wheel hitch
DE19901953B4 (en) * 1999-01-20 2014-02-06 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device and method for stabilizing a vehicle combination
DE19950808A1 (en) * 1999-10-21 2001-04-26 Zuern Gmbh & Co Coupling device to connect a traction vehicle and a trailer has measuring unit to detect position deviations and relative distance between tractor and trailer and supply information to display for driver
US6452485B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2002-09-17 The Holland Group, Inc. Electronic system for monitoring a fifth wheel hitch
US6587041B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2003-07-01 Wabash Technology Corporation Semi-tractor fifth wheel sensor and rail car stanchion sensor for a trailer
US20020075138A1 (en) * 2000-08-16 2002-06-20 Van Rees H. Barteld Portable object detection system
US7072763B2 (en) * 2000-11-28 2006-07-04 Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc Intelligent load distribution system
JP4739569B2 (en) * 2001-04-09 2011-08-03 パナソニック株式会社 Driving assistance device
US20030137126A1 (en) * 2002-01-16 2003-07-24 Reuter Gerald Louis Driver controlled side-to-side movable vehicle hitch for trailer backing
US6995662B2 (en) * 2003-05-06 2006-02-07 Wortsmith Joe W Vehicle positioning apparatus
US20040252019A1 (en) * 2003-06-10 2004-12-16 Paull George Emil Trailer eye
US7396035B1 (en) 2003-11-05 2008-07-08 Smith Rick L Trailer hitch alignment device
ES2246132B1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2007-04-01 Francisco Betancor Bethencourt DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOR HITCHING TO A VEHICLE TRACTOR OF A SEMIRREMOLQUE.
DE102004021562A1 (en) * 2004-05-03 2005-12-08 Daimlerchrysler Ag Method for parking and picking up a semi-trailer
US20070137053A1 (en) * 2004-12-16 2007-06-21 Ball Randell D Object alignment device and method
US7391303B2 (en) * 2004-12-16 2008-06-24 Ball Randell D Object alignment device and method
GB0506610D0 (en) * 2005-04-01 2005-05-11 Emilen Ltd Trailer vehicle coupling safety aids
US7243431B2 (en) * 2005-04-11 2007-07-17 Godwin W Lee Trailer hitch alignment device
US7500690B2 (en) * 2005-09-30 2009-03-10 Thor Tech, Inc. Recreational vehicle
US20070153701A1 (en) * 2005-12-31 2007-07-05 Kotzin Michael D Search determination module for a secondary network and corresponding method
US8888120B2 (en) * 2007-01-25 2014-11-18 Target Hitch Llc Towing vehicle guidance for trailer hitch connection
US8888121B2 (en) * 2007-01-25 2014-11-18 Target Hitch Llc Towing vehicle guidance for trailer hitch connection
US20090192658A1 (en) * 2008-01-24 2009-07-30 Wofford Jr Paul E Vehicle Guidance System and Method
WO2009101655A1 (en) * 2008-02-15 2009-08-20 Mamorukun Co., Ltd. Wrecker vehicle state warning device
US8264377B2 (en) 2009-03-02 2012-09-11 Griffith Gregory M Aircraft collision avoidance system
US9114960B2 (en) * 2009-03-26 2015-08-25 HKI Systems and Services LLC Crane safety device for preventing truck jostling and/or hatch cover detection
WO2011025411A1 (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-03 Volvo Lastvagnar Ab Battery monitoring system for a vehicle and corresponding vehicle
US8820768B2 (en) 2012-05-29 2014-09-02 Roger D. Grizzle High lock warning system for fifth wheel hitches
CN103171386B (en) * 2013-04-11 2015-03-04 广东嘉腾机器人自动化有限公司 AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) rear hook non-return traction device
AU2014202922A1 (en) * 2013-06-02 2014-12-18 Turntable Safety Devices Australia Pty Ltd A safety enhanced turntable or fifth wheel for coupling a semi-trailer to a prime mover
EP3379222B1 (en) 2017-03-22 2020-12-30 Methode Electronics Malta Ltd. Magnetoelastic based sensor assembly
US11084342B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2021-08-10 Methode Electronics, Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing
US11221262B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2022-01-11 Methode Electronics, Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing
US11491832B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2022-11-08 Methode Electronics, Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing
WO2019168565A1 (en) 2018-02-27 2019-09-06 Methode Electronics,Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing
US11014417B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2021-05-25 Methode Electronics, Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing
CN108917659B (en) * 2018-07-06 2020-05-29 鞍钢股份有限公司 Method for realizing rapid centering and alignment of coupler by adopting laser demarcation device
CN110425956A (en) * 2019-06-27 2019-11-08 上海宝钢工业技术服务有限公司 Slewing center support system and its application method based on cell phone application
US11682313B2 (en) 2021-03-17 2023-06-20 Gregory M. Griffith Sensor assembly for use in association with aircraft collision avoidance system and method of using the same

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US5191328A (en) * 1990-06-13 1993-03-02 Donald L. Gambill Trailer hitching aid and method using reception delay of different velocity signals
US5729194A (en) * 1996-11-26 1998-03-17 Spears; Dan E. Backup system to position vehicle relative to stationary trailer during backing procedure
US5951035A (en) * 1997-03-11 1999-09-14 Phillips, Jr.; Robert E. Trailer hitch alignment system
US6120052A (en) * 1998-01-15 2000-09-19 Capik; Dan Optically guided trailer hitching system

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US3734539A (en) 1971-11-03 1973-05-22 M Salmi Apparatus for aligning the coupling on separate vehicles
US3767292A (en) 1972-10-16 1973-10-23 P Rutkowski Aligning device for tractor hitches
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DE4303815A1 (en) * 1993-02-10 1994-08-11 Bosch Gmbh Robert Reversing and coupling auxiliary device for motor vehicles
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Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5191328A (en) * 1990-06-13 1993-03-02 Donald L. Gambill Trailer hitching aid and method using reception delay of different velocity signals
US5729194A (en) * 1996-11-26 1998-03-17 Spears; Dan E. Backup system to position vehicle relative to stationary trailer during backing procedure
US5951035A (en) * 1997-03-11 1999-09-14 Phillips, Jr.; Robert E. Trailer hitch alignment system
US6120052A (en) * 1998-01-15 2000-09-19 Capik; Dan Optically guided trailer hitching system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11135882B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2021-10-05 Methode Electronics, Inc. Towing systems and methods using magnetic field sensing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3470947B2 (en) 2003-11-25
CA2246042A1 (en) 1999-04-16
JPH11217013A (en) 1999-08-10
AU8789398A (en) 1999-05-06
US6252497B1 (en) 2001-06-26
EP0921056A2 (en) 1999-06-09

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